Well, what did you think? Spolier FREE

Just wanted to know if everyone survived the Echo Coma. I did and I am still in awe. Heading to start back at book one and do it all over again. Felt a little rushed at the end...but then, there was a lot going on. I wanted a different ending...but my fingers are crossed for the next book!

I'll definately let you know when I get there. I am around ~250 or so; enjoying it, but I haven't really hit my stride yet. Alot of jumping about.

I finished it this morning, lots of loose threads and cliffhangers. I loved it, but can't say I enjoyed as much as the previous books. Some parts I really liked but found the jumping around point of views bothersome. Just as I'd settle into the setting and story it would switch to Bree and Roger, or Lord John or Willie - I couldn't settle into and sink my teeth into it like I've done with the previous books. This was like Outlander Light to me. A bit disappointed in that respect, but hey, I'll love anything DG writes. I just hope it doesn't take another 4 years for the next book, though she plans on writing a prequel as well on Dougal, Colum and Ellen - that I want to read!

I agree with your assesment #3 ktleyed - too many different POV's and the pacing seemed off. Although I enjoyed it because I had missed the series, the book as a whole really wasn't too satisfying, didn't have any sense of its own themes and story arc - just filler. And I agree if it takes too long between books we will stop caring about these 'cliffhangers.'

I'm at page 545, am loving it, never want it to end. Unlike others, I really enjoy the different POVs. Wish I had the time to start over from the 1st book. So many books, so little time......

Enjoying the point of views, definitely like war from the other angle, however, I wish there wasn't as much. Not that there is alot, just want more of the others. Does that make sense?

It does rather feel like half or less of an absolutely enormous book, doesn't it! So I'm hoping that means that much of the next book is already written...

Sarah (who found DG via recommendations on LT last year and is still euphoric)

I'm only on page 63 and already keep stalling out when I hit a Lord John/Willie chapter. I just don't find their story so far interesting and want more of Jamie and Claire.

>8 mishmelle:

You'll get a shock later on, then!

Got it the day it was released and took my good old time. Not even close to #1 through #4, much better than book #5, BUT as good as Ashes. Now the LONG wait for #8!

#8-I was the same way. I hated turning the page ans seeing William or Lord Grey! I was even tempted to skip those parts or skim thru them. I stuck with it however, and really found them interesting after awhile. They are very important-otherwise they wouldn't be there, right? Stick with it-you'll love the ending-or maybe not since we have to wait so long for the next one!! lol

> 9 & 11: thanks for the input... since my last post I haven't read any more and keep picking up other books instead of going back to Echo. I guess I'll push through it and see how it goes. I hope it picks up soon. I don't want to give up on it.

I kept putting the book down when it got to Willie, Lord John, battles, etc. I just could not get very far. So I got it on audiobook and played it while I worked out. Still had the boring bits but it really helped to listen to Davina Porter reading it and doing most of the accents so well. I prefer the parts with Jamie and Claire or Roger and Bree.

Ending was very interesting and I'm anxious for the next book.

I am anxious for the next book too. I wonder if she is really going to wrap the series up with it.

Fingers drumming here in Norwich, alcott! If she does wrap everything up, it is going to be THE most enormous book...

Has anyone else checked out the new graphic novel Gabaldon has out? I just got my copy the other day, but I have not yet had a chance to read The Exile: An Outlander Graphic Novel.

no, not yet. Let us know how it is!

I've read The Exile: An Outlander Graphic Novel and loved it! In fact, I was at the National Book Festival yesterday and had DG sign it for me! I was surprised at how brief it was, didn't realize it went only up to the part in which Claire decides not to back through the stones to stay with Jamie. I think it was very well done and lots of fun!

#18: Congratulations on getting Gabaldon to sign the book for you, Julie!

I am going to have to give my copy a read very soon.

I HATED it. It raised all these new issues without finishing up on the main story,and it was like a long advertisement for her other books; I won't be buying any more of her books.

If you're loking for someone else to read, try Sara Donati, her style is so similar to Diana Gabaldon's that I wondered for a long time if it WAS D.G. using a pen-name.

Maybe I should clarify: I loved the series up until I read the most recent book.

21

I can't argue with you. It is my least favorite of her books. I skipped over whole chapters. Too many pieces added and not enough Jamie and Claire.

#21 & #22

I completely agree. I was actually slightly angry when I finished the last one. I'm debating whether to continue with future purchases of this series. A cliffhanger here and there, okay, I can deal, BUT a book of cliffhangers and new story lines, with no resolutions, seems a bit . . . umm . . . I don't know . . . I think I want to say self-serving, but I'm not sure that's what I mean.

I don't mind the changes in POV, but they are abrupt and I often don't realize until a few sentences in what's happened. I wish she would only do them at the beginning of new chapters, or have some way of flagging them for the reader, like starting the sentence with the name of the character she's switching to and a verb that is obviously an internal experience--like "Jaime thought. . ." or "Ian felt. . ." or something.

What I minded about Echo was that it was too much of a history lesson. I could have done without the entire Ticonderoga excursion. I want more about the characters' lives, and less parading of famous people they get to meet or events they witness.

That said, I still liked it (not loved, mind you) and am sorry to be approaching the last few pages. I'll wait for the next in the series, though, and hopefully fill the time with the Lord John series. I would be afraid that a prequel would be an abomination like unto that ghastly comic-book thing.

docwood--I was very "afeared" of that graphic novel thingy, and stayed well away from it. From your post, it sounds like that was a good plan for me.

Good choice. The graphic novel was awful!